Recent Obituaries

History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Our History

1939 Exterior

Our history begins in 1933 when W. E. and Willie Jane Holman opened the first full service funeral home in Lebanon, Missouri. This was a new concept as the area had previously been served only by "store front" undertakers. The idea of having a place where the service could be held other than a home or church was a new concept to the area.

Soon after the beginning, a young high school graduate, Dorsey M. Howe, spent the summer of 1934 with the Holman's as they completed their first year in business. After attending college, Howe returned to the Holman's in 1939 and began an association that culminated with him taking over the funeral home as his very own.

Through the years the funeral home business grew and the firm operated 24 hour emergency ambulance service. As the years passed the Holman's retired and passed the ownership to Dorsey and Bethel Howe. Later the Howe's were joined by their son, Kenneth. As the business grew new additions to the building were necessary to meet the needs of the familes being served. In 1986 a new chapel addition was completed. In 2000 a large addition was completed adding visitation rooms, selection and preparation room as well as a large attached garage area. In 2007 a large parking lot was completed.

As the years passed Kenneth and Valerie Howe purchased funeral homes in neighboring communities. The Hartville funeral home in 1989, the funeral homes in Mansfield and Seymour in 1996, the Camdenton location in 2000 and our Bolivar location in 2008.

Mount Rose Memorial Park joined the Holman-Howe family in 1998.

50th Celebration

Matthew Shannon a native of Mountain Grove, MO joined the company in 2005 and served as general manager of the home office. In 2009 he became vice-president of the company and retains his position as general manager of Lebanon, the homeoffice. Kenneth and Valerie Howe are active in the daily management of the company with Ken serving as chief executive officer and Valerie as treasurer. Other longtime staff members Clifford Sheets who served 53 years on the Holman-Howe staff and Grace Simpson, who served 30 years. Nina Griffith served 10 years.

Our Valued Staff

Kenneth Howe,CFSP, President/CEO

Kenneth R. Howe is a lifelong resident of Lebanon and grew up in his family business. He is a graduate of Lebanon High School, Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, Southwest Baptist University, and Missouri State University. He is an active member of First Baptist Church, the Lebanon Rotary Club (past president), Chairman of the Mercy Hospital Foundation, the Mercy Board of Directors, as well as various other community organizations. He is a former chairman and member of the Missouri State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice where he recently received his CFSP certification. He was named the 2012 Funeral Director of the Year by the AMERICAN FUNERAL DIRECTOR magazine and is active in the daily management of the family business.

Valerie Howe, Funeral Director/Owner

Valerie Howe is a lifelong resident of Lebanon, Missouri and a graduate of Lebanon High School and Southwest Baptist University. She taught in the Lebanon Public Schools before becoming a “stay at home” mom. She is active in a variety of school activites as well as being active in various positions at the First Baptist Church . Valerie is an active mom, and is a licensed funeral director and assists at the funeral home on a regular basis. She is also active in the women’s ministry of her church and is a speaker on Ladies Ministry issues in the Missouri Baptist Convention. She also serves as corporate treasurer and is on the board of directors.

Matthew Shannon, CFSP, Executive Vice President/CFO

Matthew grew up in Mountain Grove, Missouri and graduated from the Mountain Grove Christian Academy. He is a graduate of John A. Gupton College in Nashville, TN. Matt has served in various offices with in the company and currently serves as Executive Vice President and on the board of directors, and is CFO. He is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. Matt also served on the board of the Lebanon Family YMCA, and is currently Vocational Director of the Lebanon Rotary Club. He is a member of Lebanon First Church, NFDA, MFDA, ICCFA, and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.

Brett Eidson, Corporate Treasurer

Brett grew up in Camdenton, Missouri and graduated from Camdenton High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri and his A.A.S. in Mortuary Science from Arkansas State University in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Brett is currently serving as the President of the Mansfield Community Center in Mansfield, Missouri, the Mansfield Area Community Betterment Organization, and is a member of the Seymour, Missouri Lions Club. He is also a member of Union Southern Baptist Church in Decaturville, Missouri, NFDA, and MFDA and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.

Jack Parscale, Office Manager/Funeral Director

Jack Parscale was raised in Clinton, Missouri, and graduated from Clinton High School and Central Methodist University. After teaching elementary school music in Lebanon for several years, he owned and operated the Flower Boutique in downtown Lebanon. He has been with Holman-Howe for the past 24 years and is a licensed funeral director. He is a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity.

Brenda Nash, Administrative Assistant

Brenda Nash was raised in Salem, Missouri, and graduated from Salem High School. For the past twenty-six years, she was employed by the State of Missouri Family Support Division, retiring as an eligibility specialist. She is a member of First Baptist Church, where she is involved in the music ministry. She recently joined the staff of Holman-Howe as administrative assistant.

Linda Thieman, Publications Development Specialist

Linda Thieman was raised in Bolivar, Missouri, and graduated from Bolivar High School and Draughon Business University. Before coming to Holman-Howe in 2005, she was employed at Lebanon 1st United Methodist Church for 16 years. Our professional graphic designer, Linda found her passion creating individual memorial folders and DVDs for each family served by Holman-Howe Funeral Homes.

John Alan George Waters, Funeral Director/Embalmer

John A. Waters was born in Flagstaff, Arizona, as a young man he moved to Mountain Home, Arkansas. While attending Arkansas State University at Mountain Home, he fell in love with and married Laurie. They have four beautiful daughters; Kerstyn, Abbigail, Jaidyn, and Emma. John is very proud to help the families he serves in the Funeral Industry with compassion and respect.

Maxine Kincheloe, Hospitality Director/Funeral Assistant

Maxine Kincheloe is a lifelong resident of the Lebanon community. For many years, she and her husband, Ellis, owned and operated Kincheloe Photography in Lebanon. Maxine has served on the Holman-Howe staff since 2003 and is a tireless inspiration to the rest of the staff as receptionist, director’s assistant and director of “hospitality” for the funeral home. She attends each service and visitation as well attends the office as necessary. She is a member of First Baptist Church in Lebanon.

Sue Anderson, Receptionist

Sue is a longtime resident of Lebanon. She serves as a receptionist and hostess during evenings and weekends.

Linda Moore, Receptionist

Linda is a longtime resident of Lebanon. She serves as a receptionist and hostess on evenings and weekends.

Taylor Howe, Funeral Directors Assistant

Taylor D. Howe, is a lifelong resident of Lebanon and graduate of Lebanon High School. He currently is a student at Southwest Baptist University and plans to enter the family business upon completing his education. Taylor is active in the funeral home marketing and is an economics/business major at SBU. He currently assists at the funeral home on services and visitations.

Justin Mather, Funeral Directors Assistant

Justin Mather, a lifelong resident of Lebanon and a graduate of Lebanon High School. He currently is a student at Southwest Baptist University and plans to attend mortuary college following completion of his undergraduate degree. Justin is a political science major at SBU. He currently assists on services and visitations .

Paul Hooper, Maintenance Supervisor

Paul Hooper is a resident of Urbana, Missouri. He was a longtime employee of Richert Construction Co. in Lebanon before joining the Holman-Howe staff in 2001 as maintenance director. Paul is a capable carpenter,mechanic and general “fix it” guy. Paul also takes an active role in the care of the Holman-Howe fleet of vehicles.

Kathy M Hutton, Cemetery Administrator

Kathy Hutton has been with the Mount Rose Memorial Park Office since September 2012, after spending a number of years in the cellular phone business.
Kathy has lived in the Wright County area for most of her life, and is a graduate of Norwood High School and Vatterott Business College of Springfield. She has been married to Dave since 1982. They moved to Lebanon in 1997 and have 2 adult children and 2 precious grandchildren, #3 is due September 2013. She is a member of LifePoint Church and serves on the Greeting/Hospitality Team and in the Toddler Classes.
When Kathy is not spending time with her grandchildren, she is probably planning her next road trip or cruise.
“I love working with people, and never thought about working in the funeral business, but God has led me to Holman Howe and I am so thankful to be working with such a professional group of caring people. I am blessed to be a small part of the Holman Howe family”

Nathan Shannon, Cemetery Operations

Nathan Shannon is a native of Mountain Grove and a graduate of the Mountain Grove High. He is responsible for the day to day operations at Mt. Rose Memorial Park. This includes all the things necessary to insure the continued beauty of the park

Clois Wade, Cemetery Operations

Clois Wade is a lifelong resident of Lebanon. He has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the back hoe and excavating business. Clois joined Mt. Rose in 2012 and assists in all phases of maintaining the park

Mike Groom, Custodian

Mike is a longtime resident of Lebanon. He serves as custodian and begins his workday at 6 a.m.each day. He is a dedicated worker and also serves part time as custodian at First Baptist Church in Lebanon. Mike also serves as a reading mentor helping local children.